Longform

Searching for life

By Brian Janosch · Friday, Jan. 9,2004 1:21 a.m.

As NASA's Spirit rover relays information back to Earth from the surface of Mars, several IU professors will be right there to receive it. Geology Professor Lisa Pratt is the director of a NASA Astrobiology Institute research project that includes four other faculty members.

Brit chick lit at its finest

By Britany Ausmus and Brittany Ausmus · Friday, Jan. 9,2004 1:20 a.m.

I Don't Know How She Does It," the debut novel from British author Allison Pearson, is a delightful romp through the hectic world of Kate Reddy, a senior fund manager at a British money management firm and mother of two small children. The trials and tribulations Reddy experiences at home and work are hilarious. The overworked and underappreciated Reddy manages to get herself into predicament after predicament that help the pages of this book turn themselves.

Around The Arts

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, Jan. 9,2004 1:18 a.m.

Buskirk Chumley celebrates MLK At 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 19, the city of Bloomington presents a free Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday Celebration with a keynote address by Dr. Michael Gordon, new music by David Baker and Sarah Stevens and performances by the IU African American Choral Ensemble. The celebration includes a presentation of the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Award and an announcement of the winners of the Web Page Design Contest for students in the Monroe County Community School Corporation.

Artist creates her own reflection

By -Jenny Kobiela · Friday, Jan. 9,2004 1:16 a.m.

Bloomington artist Jill Weber literally 'reflects' her respect for the environment in her own way: creating functional art mirrors. "I am proud of the fact I am a green artist," Weber said. "A green artist is an artist whose work respects the environment."

Futuristic style

By Patrice Worthy and Patricia Worthy · Friday, Jan. 9,2004 1:15 a.m.

I was reading Time Magazine for Kids, and I actually came across some interesting inventions. This year, fabric makers have been taking bold turns, and technology is moving to the forefront of the fashion world. Luminex is on the top of the new fashion inventions list. Luminex is a new fiber that glows. The designers of Luminex took flexible optical fibers and wove them into ordinary fabric. The power comes from a battery woven into the cloth.

IU, Ivy Tech sign credit transfer agreement

By Chris Freiberg and Warren Christopher Freiberg · Friday, Jan. 9,2004 1:08 a.m.

IU and Ivy Tech State College-Bloomington officials signed an agreement last month that provides the first framework for the transfer of credits between the two institutions. The agreement allows students earning an associate's degree in science in general studies at Ivy Tech to transfer their credits to IU's bachelor's degree program in general studies.

Optometry school leader dies

By Gavin Lesnick · Friday, Jan. 9,2004 1:08 a.m.

The IU School of Optometry lost one of its first members over winter break. Merrill J. Allen, who co-founded the school in 1952 and also held patents for a number of inventions, died Dec. 28 at 85.

New early retirement plan offered

By Mike McElroy · Friday, Jan. 9,2004 1:08 a.m.

Some IU employees will get a one-shot chance at an improved retirement deal, thanks to a change in an Indiana statute. Eligible employees covered by the Public Employees Retirement Fund (PERF) can receive one additional year of credit toward the pension portion of their retirement benefits for every five years enrolled in the program, said Dan Rives, associate vice president for human resource services.

Kernan backs full-day kindergarten

By Alyson Brodsy and Mike Smith · Friday, Jan. 9,2004 12:50 a.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Democratic Gov. Joe Kernan announced a proposal Thursday that would extend full-day kindergarten across Indiana and make it available statewide by 2007.

Grocery bandit to be tried in Ohio

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, Jan. 9,2004 12:49 a.m.

EVANSVILLE -- A man authorities suspect of holding up 43 grocery store bank branches in six states agreed during an initial court appearance Wednesday to be transferred to Cincinnati, where he has been charged in one of the robberies.

Around The Campus

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, Jan. 9,2004 12:43 a.m.

Physics discovery named a top story IU professor Edward Stephenson's discovery of a rare fusion process explaining symmetry violation was named the No. 49 top science story of 2003 by Discovery Magazine. The discovery, which has been investigated since the 1950s, will help define differences between neutrons and protons and offer scientists insight into the origin of the universe, according to a press release.

Grand jury presses no charges in Ball State police shooting death

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, Jan. 9,2004 12:41 a.m.

MUNCIE -- The father of a Ball State University student shot by a campus police officer said the family was considering legal action after a grand jury cleared the officer of any criminal wrongdoing.

Software glitches cause IU financial difficulties

By Brian Janosch · Friday, Jan. 9,2004 12:40 a.m.

As the four-year mark of the PeopleSoft software implementation draws near, some of the expected glitches in the system have surfaced.

Honk if you hear me

By Scott Gorsky · Friday, Jan. 9,2004 12:24 a.m.

One thing I wish I knew more about is car maintenance. Thanks to "Dateline NBC" and their tiny cameras, I don't feel like there's a mechanic in the world that I can trust. Anyone who disagrees with that statement has either never owned a car or is hopelessly deluded by the romance of the Lincoln Tech commercials that air between the Showcase Showdowns on "The Price is Right."

Architecture as language

By Paul Musgrave · Friday, Jan. 9,2004 12:22 a.m.

The State House in Indianapolis is a good building. It's not particularly spectacular in its architecture. In some ways it's just a larger and more elaborate typical Midwestern county courthouse, like Bloomington's or Fort Wayne's, only grander.

Embracing the new year

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, Jan. 9,2004 12:18 a.m.

A week into 2004 and New Year's resolutions dissipate into fleeting memories. Within a month of resolving to start exercising every day, reality hits as we gorge on leftovers, watch basketball games and daydream about the gym we have yet to visit once.

Giving up ghetto

By Melanie Sims · Thursday, Jan. 8,2004 11:27 p.m.

I'm giving up ghetto in the New Year. It's possible that in my junior high days I might have used the term to describe the knock-off Coach purses and silver, Puffy-inspired coats I lusted after. But back then, ghetto was somehow "fabulous" -- ghetto fabulous, to be exact.

Coroner: death was accidental

By Mitch Blacher · Monday, Dec. 15,2003 2:22 a.m.

The Monroe County coroner has ruled the death of a 47-year-old Bedford man who died after being held in the Monroe County jail as accidental.

IU splits weekend games

By Dan Patrick · Monday, Dec. 15,2003 2:14 a.m.

Junior guard Jenny DeMuth and sophomore guard Cyndi Valentin have been the keys to IU's success throughout the entire year, and Sunday's game against North Carolina State was no exception. DeMuth and Valentin finished the game with 45 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and three steals.

Moye leads team in win

By Natalie A. Trout · Monday, Dec. 15,2003 2:13 a.m.

There's only one player on the IU roster who has his own special chant from the IU crowd.